Happy Saturday to the Awesemo community as we’re in for a plentiful weekend of DFS! Today we’re treated to a fantastic split of daily fantasy baseball slates, featuring a seven-game early slate followed by a a six-game main slate on DraftKings and FanDuel. For the early endeavor we’re suddenly not so sure of which Shane Bieber we’ll see on the mound against the Twins, while a similar query on the main slate applies to Walker Buehler on the road against archrival San Francisco. Here are the Spotlight Pitchers for Saturday, May 22.
Top Daily Fantasy Baseball Starting Pitchers | May 22
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Early Slate Spotlight:
Shane Bieber (CLE) vs MIN
DraftKings $11,200; FanDuel $11,500
Proj. Points: DK 32.84; FD 42.83
Proj. Ownership: DK 37.9%; FD 24.6%
DK Points A, Value B
FD Points A, Value B
Pablo Lopez (MIA) vs NYM
DraftKings $9,000; FanDuel $7,200
Proj. Points: DK 16.69; FD 30.76
Proj. Ownership: DK 21.8%; FD 11.1%
DK Points B, Value C
FD Points B, Value A
Brady Singer (KC) vs DET
DraftKings $6,600; FanDuel $8,000
Proj. Points: DK 15.52; FD 28.57
Proj. Ownership: DK 26%; FD 3.4%
DK Points C, Value A
FD Points C, Value C
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Main Slate Spotlight:
Walker Buehler: LAD at SF — DraftKings $11,000; FanDuel $10,500
The Dodgers assign Walker Buehler to the mound against the Giants, averaging 21.2 DraftKings and 37.62 FanDuel points with a 27.6% strikeout rate in eight starts. Awesemo’s MLB Top Pitchers Tool gives Buehler a 36.4% chance of being a top-two pitcher on DraftKings and a 15.9% chance of being the top pitcher on FanDuel. MLB DFS projections align Buehler among the best options for the main slate, while combining with his priced up salary as a projected 12.1% top-two value on DraftKings and a 3.7% chance of being top value on FanDuel. MLB daily fantasy ownership projections of 41.2% on DraftKings and 31.9% on FanDuel signify the popularity shift to Buehler on the short slate despite the challenging opponent.
With San Francisco scheduled to roll out six lefties and three righties in its lineup, Buehler is striking out 23.9% of left-handed hitters while earning a 1.05 WHIP against them this season. Buehler has his hands full with Mike Yastrzemski (first), Brandon Crawford (third), and Brandon Belt (fourth) all smashing over a .300 ISO against right-handed pitchers, while Buster Posey (second) is also connecting for a .254 ISO against the split. However the Giants have a .222 team batting average and 28.5% strikeout rate with a 99 wRC+ versus right-handed pitchers. While the asking price is a bit much the ceiling for fantasy production remains the greatest on the slate, making Buehler an excellent option for Saturday’s main slate.
Awesemo’s FanDuel Grades: Points A, Value C
Awesemo’s DraftKings Grades: Points A, Value D
Be sure to check out today’s daily fantasy baseball videos and podcasts, including our MLB DFS Deeper Dive & Live Before Lock Show!
Nathan Eovaldi: BOS at PHI — DraftKings $8,700; FanDuel $7,200
Nathan Eovaldi looks to rebound against the Phillies, averaging 15 DraftKings and 28 FanDuel points with a 22.5% strikeout rate in nine starts. Awesemo’s MLB Top Pitchers Tool gives Eovaldi a 20.9% chance of reaching top-two pitcher status on DraftKings and a 10.5% chance of being the top pitcher on FanDuel. Our expert MLB DFS projections combine with a moderate price point to project Eovaldi as a 13.5% top-two value on DraftKings and a 10.8% chance of top value on FanDuel. MLB daily fantasy ownership projections of 17.6% on DraftKings and 13.9% on FanDuel suggest that Eovaldi may be slightly overlooked on Saturday’s shorter slate.
Scheduled to face five righties, three lefties and one switch-hitter from Philadelphia, Eovaldi is striking out 24.2% of right-handed hitters while walking just over 5% of all hitters. An obvious problem in lefty Bryce Harper (third) poses trouble for any right-handed pitcher as he’s boasting a .295 ISO against the split this season. The Phillies are posting a .232 batting average, 26.5% strikeout rate, and 88 wRC+ against right-handed pitching this year. While his ceiling for fantasy production isn’t as prominent, Eovaldi faces an achievable matchup at a fair cost on DraftKings and considerable discount on FanDuel.
Awesemo’s FanDuel Grades: Points C, Value B
Awesemo’s DraftKings Grades: Points C, Value D
Adbert Alzolay: CHC at STL — DraftKings $8,000; FanDuel $6,800
Third-year righty Adbert Alzolay draws the start for the Cubs on the road in St. Louis, averaging 15.77 DraftKings and 27.28 FanDuel points with a 27.5% strikeout rate in seven starts. Awesemo’s MLB Top Pitchers Tool gives Alzolay a 26.4% chance of being a top-two pitcher on DraftKings and 11.7% chance of being the top pitcher on FanDuel. MLB DFS projections and a fair cost on DraftKings projects Alzolay as a 23% top-two value, while a significant discount on FanDuel projects him for a 15% chance of top value on FanDuel. MLB daily fantasy ownership projections of 26.3% on DraftKings and 13% on FanDuel indicate moderate investment from the field while nothing close to being heavy chalk.
While St. Louis will likely send six righties, one lefty and two switch-hitters to oppose him, Alzolay is striking out 31.9% of right-handed hitters, walking just 4.3%, with an 0.68 WHIP. He’ll have to tread cautiously around the heart of the order with Nolan Arenado (fourth) smacking a .248 ISO off right-handed pitchers this season and Alzolay surrendering 38.9% hard contact to right-handed hitters. Yet the Cardinals are managing a .229 batting average, 23.3% strikeout rate, and 90 wRC+ against the split. At an affordable cost with one of the better matchups on the slate, Alzolay provides a feasible alternative pitching option.
Awesemo’s FanDuel Grades: Points B, Value A
Awesemo’s DraftKings Grades: Points B, Value B
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